Bed cover

ABSTRACT

A bed cover includes a first covering in the form of a fitted sheet sized to snugly fit about a respectively sized mattress, as such is conventionally known, and a second, flat covering, akin to a top sheet, attached to the first covering. The second covering has a slidable closure disposed lengthwise in a portion of the second covering. The combination of the attachment of the second covering to the first covering, and the slidable closure in the second covering, provide a degree of security against inadvertent falling out of the bed, easy ingress/egress between the first and second coverings, and convenience in making-up the bed regardless of its location near a wall or furniture. According to an aspect, the bed cover includes a third covering, akin to a blanket, that can conveniently be attached or detached from the combination first and second coverings. Complimentary Velcro®-type attachment strips on either the first or second coverings and the bottom side of the third covering represent exemplary attachment means. According to another aspect, the bed cover includes a fourth covering, akin to a comforter, that can conveniently be attached or detached from the combination third covering. Complimentary Velcro-type attachment strips on the third covering and the bottom side of the fourth covering represent exemplary attachment means. The various dimensions of the coverings provide a neat appearance to the bed cover when fitted about a mattress.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to fabric bed covers for asleeping surface such as a mattress and, more particularly, to amulti-component fabric bed cover assembly that can be fitted over andused with a complimentary sized mattress.

2. Description of Related Art

Bed or mattress coverings typically take the forms of fitted sheets, topsheets, and blankets. Other bed coverings are commonly referred to asfeather beds, comforters, mattress pads and the like. The size,arrangement, style and fabric influence the functions of the various bedcovering components. For example, a conventional fitted sheet iselastically gathered at the comers of the curtain portions of the sheetso as to fit snuggly about and cover a complimentary sized mattress. Atop sheet of cotton or other suitable fabric typically in the form of aflat rectangle lays atop the fitted sheet and provides a light coveringfor a person positioned in-between the fitted sheet and the top sheet.Very often, a third covering such as a blanket is provided atop the topsheet for added warmth.

In addition to providing a comfortable contact surface and protectionfrom the ambient environment, bed coverings provide an estheticappearance to a sleeping area (e.g., bed, futon, etc.). Furthermore, atop sheet and/or blanket may provide a limited amount of security for aninfant or adult who may be prone to falling out of the bed by snugglytucking the side and bottom edges of the top sheet and/or blanketunderneath the mattress.

Parents often have a safety concern that an infant or small child maysuffocate underneath a top bed covering. Children and adults alike mayhave a tendency to sleep restlessly and get wrapped about by their bedcoverings or kick them off entirely. In other circumstances, youngchildren and/or adults may unwittingly fall out of bed in their sleepdue to restlessness or other reasons. Furthermore, a made bed providesan improved appearance over an unmade one. However, children and adultsalike may be discouraged from making their beds due to room sizeconstraints or, for example, they have neither the time nor the energyto put the bed together.

In view of the functional, esthetic and otherwise challenging attributesof bed coverings such as those identified above, and others, theinventor has recognized the need for a bed cover that addresses one ormore of these attributes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a multi-component bed coverassembly adapted to fit over and about a complimentary sized sleepingsurface such as a mattress.

According to an embodiment, a bed cover includes a first, form fittedcovering having a generally flat, top portion and a contiguous curtainportion extending all-around therefrom, that is adapted to fit snugglyabout a complimentary sized mattress. Most generally, the first coveringresembles a conventional fitted sheet in any of a variety of sizesranging between a baby mattress size and a king size. The flat topportion of the first covering can be considered to have a widthdimension extending between opposing side edges of the flat portion anda length dimension extending between head and foot edges of the flatportion of the first covering. The bed cover also includes a second,flat covering akin to a conventional top sheet. The second covering isidentified by a top edge, a bottom (foot) edge and two opposing sideedges and thus has a length dimension from the top edge to the bottomedge and a width dimension from one side edge to the other side edge.According to the embodiment, the width dimension of the second coveringis greater than the width dimension of the first covering while thelength dimension of the second covering is less than the lengthdimension of the first covering. The second covering is attached to thefirst covering along the side and bottom edges of the second covering.In a particular aspect, the second covering is sewn to the firstcovering along the intersection of the flat portion and the curtainportion of the first covering. The combination of the first covering andsecond covering as described thus forms an opening between the two alongthe top edge of the second covering and provides a sufficient quantityof second covering fabric to accommodate comfortably the covered portionof a person laying there between. The second covering further includes aslideable closure that extends lengthwise from the top edge. Accordingto an aspect, the slideable closure has a length in the range of betweenabout 50 percent to 100 percent of the length dimension of the secondcovering. More particularly, the slideable closure does not extend tothe bottom edge of the second covering but, rather, has a length in therange between about 60 percent to 90 percent of the length dimension ofthe second covering. In a further particular aspect, the slideableclosure is disposed along a central longitudinal axis of the secondcovering; however, the slideable closure may be disposed longitudinallybetween the center and a side edge of the second covering.

According to a further aspect, the bed cover includes a third coveringthat is removeably attached to the first and second covering assembly.The third covering may be thought of as a blanket component of the bedcover, for illustration. According to an aspect, the third covering isremoveably attached to the curtain portion of the first covering or,alternatively, to the second covering, by complimentary Velcro®-typefastening material in the form of strips, for example. According to anillustrative aspect, one component of the Velcro-type fasteners areattached to the bottom-side of the third covering adjacent the side andbottom edges. The complimentary Velcro-type components are attached tothe exterior curtain portion of the first covering or to the secondcovering in the vicinity of where it is attached to the first covering.The width and length of the third covering are sufficient to provide anoverhang of material for a neat appearance of the assembled bed cover.

According to a further aspect, the bed cover includes a fourth coveringthat is remove ably attached to the third covering. The fourth coveringmay be thought of as a comforter component of the bed cover, forillustration. According to an aspect, the bottom side of the fourthcovering includes Velcro-type fastening material in the form of strips,for example, and the top-side of the third covering includescomplimentary Velcro-type components. The width and length of the fourthcovering are substantially the same as those of the third covering,being sufficient to provide an overhang of material for a neatappearance of the assembled bed cover.

According to various aspects, the first, second, third or fourthcovering may include conventionally known electrical components that cancontrollably provide heating of the respective bed covering component.

The benefits and advantages provided by embodiments of the inventionwill be apparent to the person skilled in the art in view of thedetailed description that follows, the attached drawings and theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a bed cover according to anembodiment of the invention shown as if it were fitted about a mattress;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an illustrative placement ofVelcro-type fastening strips on an underside surface of a third coveringaccording to an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective illustration of a bed cover in aillustrative cut-away view according to an aspect of the invention; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B are a schematic top plan view and bottom plan view ofthe third covering and the fourth covering, respectively, according toan exemplary aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a multi-component, fabricbed cover assembly. FIG. 1 illustrates an aspect of a bed cover 100according to an embodiment of the invention, shown as if the bed cover100 were fitted about a mattress (not shown). The bed cover 100 includesa first, form-fitted covering 10 having a flat top portion 12 and acontiguous curtain portion 14 extending therefrom all around. The firstcovering 10 is adapted to fit snugly about a complimentary-sizedmattress. The dotted lines 9 in the comers and the hash marks 9 a areintended to illustrate an elasticized or otherwise cinched bottom edgeof the first covering as is found in a conventional fitted sheet. In analternative aspect (not shown), the first covering 10 could haveauxiliary ties or elasticized straps as known in the art that secure thefitted cover to the mattress. The flat top portion 12 of the firstcovering has a length dimension shown as L₁ and a width dimension shownas W₁.

The bed cover 100 also includes a second, flat covering 20 in the formof a conventional flat (non-fitted) sheet. The second covering 20 has atop edge 22, a bottom edge 24 and two side edges 26, which define alength dimension L₂ extending from the top edge 22 to the bottom edge 24and a width dimension W₂ extending from one side edge to the other sideedge 26. The second covering 20 is sewn to the first covering 10 alongthe bottom edge 24 and the two side edges 26, around the generalvicinity of the perimeter of the flat portion of the first covering. Thewidth dimension W₂ is greater than the width dimension W₁ in order toprovide adequate room between the first covering and the second coveringfor a person to turn over and otherwise move comfortably beneath thesecond covering. It may be desirable to make the W₂ width dimensionbetween about eight inches to 40 inches greater than the W₁ widthdimension. For example, a bed cover 100 sized to fit a baby's mattresswill require a W₂ dimension at the low end of the range to accommodate asmaller person while a bed cover sized to fit a king-sized mattress willlikely benefit by having a W₂ dimension at the high end of the range toaccommodate a larger person. In an exemplary aspect, the second covering20 has a pleat 28 that facilitates the width expansion of the secondcovering in a manner intended to provide a degree of neatness to the bedcover.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the second cover 20 includes a slidableclosure 30. Illustrated as a zipper, the slidable closure 30 extendslengthwise from the top edge 22 of the second covering along thelongitudinal centerline of the second covering. The slidable closure 30has a length L_(z). As shown in the figure, the length L_(z) is lessthan the length dimension L₂ of the second covering. In various aspects,the slidable closure length L_(z) may be in the range between about 50%to 100% of L₂. More particularly, L_(z) is in the range between about60% to 90% of L₂. Even more particularly, L_(z) is in the range betweenabout 70% to 80% of L₂. The slidable closure length and position isadvantageous for several reasons. It provides easy access to allow thebed cover to be easily ‘made up’ regardless of whether the bed may belocated against a wall or tightly arranged with other furniture. It alsoallows easy ingress and egress between the coverings. In variousalternative aspects, snaps, buttons, Velcro-type material, ties andother means may be provided to securely shut and allow easy opening ofthe second covering. The additional width of the second coveringprovides room for a person to turn and move under the second covering,while the sewn attachment of the second covering to the first coveringprovides a degree of security against inadvertently falling out of thebed. In an alternative aspect, the slidable closure may be located toone side or the other of the longitudinal centerline of the secondcovering between the center location and a side edge of the covering.

In accordance with another embodiment, having reference to FIGS. 2 and3, the bed cover 100-1 is as described above for bed cover 100, andfurther includes a third covering 42 and means for removably attachingthe third covering to the bed cover via at least one of the firstcovering and the second covering. The third covering 42 is shown in FIG.2 as a plan view of its bottom surface. The third covering isillustrated as a flat, rectangularly shaped piece of fabric having a topedge 42, a bottom or foot edge 45, opposing side edges 47, a widthdimension W₃ and a length dimension L₃. In the illustrative aspectshown, the bottom side of the third covering includes five Velcro-typematerial attachment strips 49 a sewn or otherwise attached-two eachparallely adjacent the side edges and one parallely adjacent the bottomedge. Alternatively, one continuous attachment strip or multiple stripscould be used. As shown in FIG. 3, complimentary attachment strips 49 bare sewn or otherwise attached to the exposed side of the curtainportion 14 of the first covering 10 in complimentary locations to thaton the second covering. As further shown in FIG. 2, the attachmentstrips 49 a are positioned a distance, d, from the respective edges ofthe second covering. Accordingly, when the third covering is attached tothe bed cover 100-1 over the second covering, as illustrated in FIG. 3,a perimeter portion of the third covering will overhang the mattress topresent a neat appearance all around. Thus, the width dimension W₃ andthe length dimension L₃ will be sufficiently greater than thecorresponding dimensions of the first and second coverings. In aparticular aspect, the attachment strips 49 b incorporate the ‘quiet’surface portion of the Velcro-type material while the attachment strips49 a incorporate the ‘catching’ surface portion. Such an arrangement isintended to better preserve the adhesion integrity of the Velcro-typematerial. In an alternative aspect, the attachment strips 49 a could belocated a greater distance than d from the edges of the third coveringto coincide with the location of complimentary attachment strips 49 balong the bottom and side edges of the second covering. It will beappreciated that the number and location of the attachment materials canbe adjusted for optimum utility and comfort.

According to another aspect described with reference to FIG. 4, the bedcover 100-1 as described above includes a fourth covering 62 and meansfor removably attaching the fourth covering to the third covering 42.The fourth covering is a flat, rectangular fabric in the illustrativeform of a comforter-type bed covering. It has top edge 63, bottom edge65 and opposing side edges 67. According to an exemplary aspect, stripsof Velcro-type material are used to couple the third and fourthcoverings. As shown in FIG. 4A, the top side of the third covering 42includes five Velcro-type attachment strips 59 a disposed parallel torespective edges 45, 47 of the covering and displaced a distance d, fromthe edge. It is to be appreciated that the arrangement and configurationof the disclosed attachment means may vary without consequence to theirfunction. For example, the attachment strip 59 a adjacent the bottomedge 45 of the third covering 42 may be located a distance from thebottom edge that is different from the distance d, of the attachmentstrip located adjacent the side edge 47 of the third covering. FIG. 4Billustrates the bottom side of the fourth covering 62 havingcomplimentary Velcro-type attachment strips 59 b attached thereto.According to an aspect, fourth covering 62 has a width dimension W₄ anda length dimension L₄ that are substantially the same as the respectivedimensions of the third covering 42. As such, when the bed covering isassembled and fitted about a mattress, the bed cover will have a neatappearance due to the overhang of the third and fourth coverings aboutthe curtain portion of the first covering. The fourth covering may beelectrically controllably heated.

It should be further appreciated that zippers, snaps, buttons and otherattachment mechanisms known in the art could be used as attachment meansfor any or all of the first, second, third and fourth coverings. Theillustrative sewn and Velcro-type attachments are advantageous based oncost and convenience considerations.

According to a related embodiment, one or more of the first, second,third and fourth coverings may be equipped with an electrical heatingelement as shown at 61 in FIG. 3. Electric blankets, mattress pads andthe like are known in the art and thus do not require a detaileddescription herein.

The foregoing description of the embodiments and aspects of theinvention has been presented for the purposes of illustration andunderstanding. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is intendedthat the scope of the invention be limited not by the detaileddescription, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

1. A bed cover, comprising: a first, form-fitted covering having a flattop portion and a contiguous curtain portion extending therefrom,adapted to fit snugly about a complimentary-sized mattress, wherein theflat top portion identifies a length and a width dimension of the firstcovering; a second, flat covering having a top edge, a bottom edge andtwo side edges, a length dimension extending from the top edge to thebottom edge and a width dimension extending from one side edge to theother side edge, attached to the first covering along the bottom edgeand the two side edges, wherein the second covering width dimension isgreater than the first covering width dimension, further wherein thesecond covering includes a slidable closure extending lengthwise fromthe top edge, wherein the slidable closure has a length that is equal toor less than the length dimension of the second covering.
 2. The bedcover of claim 1, wherein the second covering width dimension is greaterthan the first covering width dimension by an amount between about eightinches to 40 inches.
 3. The bed cover of claim 1, wherein the slidableclosure is a zipper.
 4. The bed cover of claim 1, wherein the slidableclosure is disposed along a center longitudinal axis of the secondcover.
 5. The bed cover of claim 1, wherein the length of the slidableclosure is in the range of about 60% to 90% of the length dimension ofthe second covering.
 6. The bed cover of claim 5, wherein the length ofthe slidable closure is in the range of about 70% to 80% of the lengthdimension of the second covering.
 7. The bed cover of claim 1, whereinthe second covering has a pleat to facilitate an expansion of the widthdimension.
 8. The bed cover of claim 1, further comprising a thirdcovering, and means for removably attaching the third covering to atleast one of the first covering and the second covering.
 9. The bedcover of claim 1, further comprising: a third covering removablydisposed adjacent an exposed top side of the flat second covering; andcomplimentary Velcro®-type fasteners attached to a bottom-side of thethird covering and to at least one of the second covering and thecurtain portion of the first covering.
 10. The bed cover of claim 9,wherein the third covering has a width dimension and a length dimensionthat are greater than the respective width dimension and lengthdimension of the second covering.
 11. The bed cover of claim 10, whereinthe third covering width and length dimensions are sufficient tocompletely overhang the curtain portion of the first covering when thebed cover is fitted about a mattress.
 12. The bed cover of claim 9,wherein the complimentary Velcro-type fasteners have a catching surfaceportion attached to the third covering and a quiet surface portionattached to the at least one of a top side edge of the second coveringand a top-side surface of the curtain portion of the first covering. 13.The bed cover of claim 9, wherein the first covering is a fitted sheetfabric, the second covering is a top sheet fabric and the third coveringis a blanket fabric.
 14. The bed cover of claim 1, further comprisingmeans for controllably heating the first covering.
 15. The bed cover ofclaim 9, further comprising means for controllably heating at least oneof the first covering and the third covering.
 16. The bed cover of claim9, wherein the complimentary Velcro-type fasteners include at least onefastener portion attached to the bottom-side of the third covering andat least one complimentary fastener portion attached to the curtainportion of the first covering.
 17. The bed cover of claim 9, wherein thecomplimentary Velcro-type fasteners include a plurality of fastenerstrips attached adjacent at least two edges of the third covering,arranged parallel to the at least two edges of the covering and spaced adistance, d, from at least one of the edges; and a complimentaryplurality of fastener strips attached to the curtain portion of thefirst covering.
 18. The bed cover of claim 9, further comprising: afourth covering removably disposed adjacent an exposed top side of thethird covering; and complimentary Velcro-type fasteners attached to abottom-side of the fourth covering and to a top side of the thirdcovering.
 19. The bed cover of claim 18, wherein the fourth covering hasa width dimension and a length dimension that are substantially the sameas the respective width dimension and length dimension of the thirdcovering.
 20. The bed cover of claim 19, wherein the third coveringwidth and length dimensions are sufficient to completely overhang thecurtain portion of the first covering when the bed cover is fitted abouta mattress.
 21. The bed cover of claim 18, wherein the complimentaryVelcro-type fasteners have a catching surface portion attached to thefourth covering and a quiet surface portion attached to the thirdcovering.
 22. The bed cover of claim 18, wherein the first covering is afitted sheet fabric, the second covering is a top sheet fabric, thethird covering is a blanket fabric and the fourth covering is acomforter fabric.
 23. The bed cover of claim 18, further comprisingmeans for controllably heating the fourth covering.
 24. The bed cover ofclaim 18, wherein the complimentary Velcro-type fasteners include atleast one fastener portion attached to the fourth covering and at leastone complimentary fastener portion attached to the third covering. 25.The bed cover of claim 18, wherein the complimentary Velcro-typefasteners include a plurality of fastener strips attached adjacent atleast two edges of the third covering, arranged parallel to the at leasttwo edges and spaced a distance, d₁, from at least one of the edges; anda complimentary plurality of fastener strips attached to the thirdcovering.